Skip to main content

COVID-19: A Different Perspective

This is something that has been percolating in me for a while.  I have tried numerous times to put my thoughts on paper.  Each time I do, something happens.  I get distracted and do something else instead or I tyoe it but completely fail to save it. I have found that happens when I am writing something and it's just not right because God is still working in me.  So if you are reading this, I finally did it!

It seems you cannot say COVID-19 without insighting a STRONG emotional response. For many, fear moves in. Others experience sorrow from the loss of a loved one. Many times it immediately shifts to a soliloquy about mask mandates violating personal rights or failure to wear a mask recklessly placing others at risk. Certainly a debate will begin about the vaccine. 

Let me assure you I am not here to debate either polar end of these topics.  

Rather, I suggest we need to OPEN OUR EYES!  We might just be missing it. We might be missing one of the most important occurrences of our lives.  

Before I dive deeper, we need to establish a few ground rules.  First, let's assume COVID-19 was real and one of the most deadly, potent viruses this world has ever seen. Next, we need to agree that each and every person on this earth is God's wonderfully made creation. Finally, we need to agree that none of us are God and we only have a limited finite understanding of his infinite, unlimited power.

In response to the spread of COVID-19, the world shutdown.  We were told to stay home. Don't go to work. Don't go to the store. Stay inside. Protect yourself.  

All the sudden most of the Christian world was at home with nothing to do.  Personally, that meant more time in the word, prayer for those fighting this unknown disease. Prayers for the many people who contracted it. Each day my wife went to work at the hospital.  Each night as I went to sleep I placed my hand in hers and prayer for her safety and for those she came in contact with. 

What if my experience is not unique?  What if Christians across the world retreated to the bunker of His truth and the power of prayer? Separated in the silos of our homes but united in God's Kingdom through prayer. Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22 NIV). Maybe fear of this terrible disease brought believers to their knees so that we finally surrendered and beleived. We realized we were powerless and we must trust our God.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NIV). Christians across the world were freed from fear as God performed the greatest miracle of our modern days.  

Could it be that this thing was as contagious as they said? Could it be that this thing was as deadly as they said? Could it be that the loss of human life should have been many times greater than it has been? 

Prayer works.  I must accept that what we experienced was the power of prayer.  I must accept that when we push the junk of daily life out of the way and focus on God, amazing things happen.  To me, we have witnessed the greatest miracle of modern times because of COVID-19.  

As we return to "normal", we can't lose sight of what God has shared with us. Prayer works. He is listening. We must remain vigilant. We must believe. 




 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day.  The way these blogs come together is different from week to week.  Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper".   This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits.  In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense.   What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving.  He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry.  Things hap
Post a Comment
Read more

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g
Post a Comment
Read more